Fabricated vehicle wheel, wheel disc for use in such a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing such a wheel disc and fabricated vehicle wheel

Abstract

A wheel disc adapted for use in a fabricated vehicle wheel includes a steel wheel disc defining an axis and includes a center mounting portion, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of radially outwardly extending spokes connecting the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange and a ventilation opening provided between each pair of adjacent spokes. A width defined by a center wall of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the center wall of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange or wherein a width defined by outer walls of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the outer walls of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fabricated vehicle wheel comprising:
 a wheel rim; and 
 a steel wheel disc secured to the wheel rim and defining an axis, the wheel disc including a center mounting portion, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of radially outwardly extending spokes connecting the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange and a ventilation opening provided between each pair of adjacent spokes, the center mounting portion including a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes, the outer rim connecting flange parallel to the axis and including a side edge, each of the spokes including a center wall, a generally axially outwardly extending side wall extending from each end of the center wall, and a bent back outwardly extending outer wall extending from each of the side walls, and the ventilation opening being defined by the side edge of the outer rim connecting flange and the outer walls of adjacent pairs of spokes; 
 wherein the center mounting portion includes a mounting pad defined at a backside of each of the lug bolt holes, the mounting pad having a pair of side walls tapered radially outwardly for a substantial portion thereof relative to one another at each lug bolt hole to define at the hub hole a first angular distance, and a pair of adjacent side walls between an adjacent pair of lug bolt holes which extend with a radially outwardly taper relative to one another to define at the hub hole a second angular distance, wherein the first angular distance is greater than the second angular distance. 
 
     
     
       2. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the ventilation opening has a center hole which is defined by three radii. 
     
     
       3. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the ventilation opening has a concave angle along the portion defined by the outer wall of an adjacent pair of spokes. 
     
     
       4. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the center wall of the spoke is generally concave. 
     
     
       5. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the center mounting portion includes a rib disposed between each pair of adjacent lug bolt holes, the rib having a generally flat wall portion for a substantial portion thereof as the wall portion extends radially outwardly from the center hub hole. 
     
     
       6. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the number of the spokes and the lug bolt holes is the same number and each of the spokes is aligned with a respective one of the lug bolt holes. 
     
     
       7. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the wheel rim is formed from steel and the wheel disc is secured to the wheel rim by welding. 
     
     
       8. A fabricated vehicle wheel comprising:
 a wheel rim; and 
 a steel wheel disc secured to the wheel rim and defining an axis, the wheel disc including a center mounting portion, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of radially outwardly extending spokes connecting the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange and a ventilation opening provided between each pair of adjacent spokes, the center mounting portion including a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes, the outer rim connecting flange parallel to the axis and including a side edge, each of the spokes including a center wall, a generally axially outwardly extending side wall extending from each end of the center wall, and a bent back outwardly extending outer wall extending from each of the side walls, and the ventilation opening being defined by the side edge of the outer rim connecting flange and the outer walls of adjacent pairs of spokes; 
 wherein the center wall of the spoke is generally concave and wherein the ventilation opening has a concave angle along the portion defined by the outer wall of an adjacent pair of spokes, 
 wherein the center mounting portion includes a mounting pad defined at a backside of each of the lug bolt holes, the mounting pad having a pair of side walls tapered radially outwardly for a substantial portion thereof relative to one another at each lug bolt hole to define at the hub hole a first angular distance, and a pair of adjacent side walls between an adjacent pair of lug bolt holes which extend with a radially outwardly taper relative to one another to define at the hub hole a second angular distance, wherein the first angular distance is greater than the second angular distance. 
 
     
     
       9. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 8  wherein a width defined by the center wall of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the center wall of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange or wherein a width defined by the outer walls of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the outer walls of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange. 
     
     
       10. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 8  wherein the ventilation opening has a center hole which is defined by three radii. 
     
     
       11. The fabricated vehicle wheel of  claim 8  wherein the center mounting portion includes a rib disposed between each pair of adjacent lug bolt holes, the rib having a generally flat wall portion for a substantial portion thereof as the wall portion extends radially outwardly from the center hub hole.